The atmosphere fell silent. Rama didn't speak right away with the phone pressed to his ear, waiting for the caller to speak first.
"Hello, sir. There's something we'd like to discuss... It's about the patient you brought to this hospital..."
Rama didn't answer immediately. But his pupils dilated for a split second. News about Raya sounded sensitive. His eyes darted around; he didn't want anyone to see—or even hear.
Rama focused again on the phone screen in his hand. His lips parted. "All right. I'll be there soon." He ended the call.
Rama returned to his Ninja motorcycle. He put on his full-face helmet first, then started the engine and rode away from the wealthy conglomerate owner's residence.
Along the way, Rama's thoughts drifted elsewhere. His mind kept replaying what the hospital staff had told him.
"Your friend has a brain hemorrhage. We're worried it could have a major effect on..."
Without realizing it, Rama twisted the throttle. The motorcycle shot down the road at high speed.
Whoooosh!
A short while later...
Rama hurried through the hospital. There was only one thing on his mind: finding out how that woman was doing and what had happened to her. His shoes echoed across the slick hospital floor. He rushed on, unwilling to lose hope.
When he reached the doctor's office, Rama spoke at once.
"Doc, how's Raya's condition?" Rama asked as soon as he entered.
The doctor, who had been waiting for him, immediately motioned for him to sit. The man's face was grave. A medical report lay on the desk, while the computer screen behind him still displayed the results of Raya's head CT scan.
"Mr. Rama, I'll explain everything calmly."
Rama nodded. His chest felt tight.
"After performing a CT scan, we found bleeding inside Raya's brain."
Rama froze.
"The bleeding is quite serious. Blood has collected in one area of the brain and is putting pressure on the surrounding tissue."
"Can she be saved, Doc?"
The doctor drew a deep breath. "For now, Raya's condition is being closely monitored. The pressure inside her skull has increased, and that's what concerns us most."
Rama clenched his fists. "Will she wake up?"
The doctor fell silent for several seconds before answering.
"We can't say for sure yet." Those five words hit Rama like a brutal blow.
The doctor looked back at the CT scan.
"We need to monitor her progress over the next few hours. If the bleeding worsens or the pressure in her brain rises further, surgery may be necessary to remove the blood and relieve the pressure."
"Surgery?" Rama's voice sounded heavy.
"Yes."
Rama swallowed. His gaze remained fixed on the black-and-white image on the screen.
"The most important thing right now is making sure her condition doesn't deteriorate further."
Rama slowly rose to his feet.
"Then do whatever it takes, Doc."
The doctor looked at him. "We'll do everything we can."
Rama nodded, but before he could step outside, the doctor spoke again. "Mr. Rama..."
Rama stopped.
"There's one more thing."
He turned around.
"This bleeding doesn't look like a minor injury caused by an ordinary impact."
Rama furrowed his brow. "What do you mean, Doctor?"
The doctor turned the computer screen slightly toward him.
"There's an injury pattern that makes us want to confirm something."
"What is it?"
The doctor stared at Rama gravely. "We need to know exactly how Raya suffered an impact this severe."
Rama fell silent. Suddenly, his thoughts turned to Raya's car. And for the first time, a horrifying suspicion surfaced in his mind.
"Could it be...?"